But now Malawi’s best chances of success are being seriously foiled. Bad governance, corruption and impunity now mean that the people in Malawi are faced with acute fuel shortages, an escalating cost of living and an erosion of their constitutional rights.  Naturally this has led to protests. People are out on the streets asking for improvement. The response has been as harsh as it has been disappointing.

Undule Mwakasungura rights campaigner, head of CHRR

The government has shown itself to be intolerant of criticism and dissent. Human rights defenders are especially vulnerable and are living in danger. Civil society activists, religious leaders, journalists, academics –in fact anyone calling for the state to uphold the rule of law and human rights, have in recent times, been subjected to death threats, harassment and excess use of force and unnecessary violence by state and ruling party agents. With entrenched impunity there is little accountability for abuse of state power.

This hostile environment has been brought to the attention of the African Commission of Human and Peoples Rights twice last year. Regional advocacy efforts culminated in a historical visit by the African Union Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. The Rapporteur- Ms. Reine Alapini-Gansou- came to Malawi in January for a workshop that commemorated thirty years of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, by taking stock of the African human rights charter and reflecting on Malawi’s human rights performance.

In the event organised by the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) in partnership with the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA), the Special Rapporteur engaged with human rights defenders in the country, recognised the valuable role they play and appealed for their protection.

An outcome of this workshop was a communiqué, endorsed by twenty human rights groups, which was presented to Ms. Reine Alapini-Gansou, who would then use it to petition governments at an African Union meeting in Addis Ababa.

The communiqué points to the unfavourable climate fostered by the “oppression of the media, suppression of the academic freedom, obstruction of the freedom of assembly and association, disregard of the court rulings with impunity, trivializing and disregarding of the minority rights, and promulgation of retrogressive pieces of legislation.”

The document appeals to the government to make the rights embedded in the national constitution a living reality and urge the government to implement human rights treaties that the state is a party to.

The call from human rights collectives to improve human rights compliance in accordance with the constitution may be received with irritation and seen as defiance. It may lead to further repression. Or more statesmanlike, it can be accepted as an invitation to start a process of dialogue and reconciliation; of talking, listening and acting together for the betterment of all. The government’s reaction to civil society’s calls will define whether Malawi takes a turn for the better or falls down the slippery slope of repression once again.

*Sanyu Awori, Consultant, Strategic Initiatives Programme, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

Tembo, who is leader of main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), made the remarks when he responded to the President address in parliament.

He said Malawi was now under oppressive rule which is threatening the hard won democracy.

Tembo: Mutharika speech was empty

The veteran conviction politician, who was a strongman in one party dictatorship, said there were all signs of autocracy with police brutality, passing of repressive laws and the consistent attacks of civil society leaders and critics by the President.

He attracted applause from members of the House, when he clearly said the opposition block would oppose any attempt by the Mutharika government aimed at regulating or even banning NGOs.

Tembo also insinuated that Malawi was a failed state under Mutharika leadership with the worst economic crisis ever.

“What else do you call a country where one of the arms of government has stopped functioning and there is no solution in sight?” wondered Tembo.

He wonderers if Mutharika government still enjoys the sustained trust of the people of Malawi to continue ruling.

On the President’s plea to International Monetary Fund (IMF) “to give us additional three years to continue on the disastrous path which we have taken…is simply unworkable and will just result in further increased suffering on the part of the people of this country.”

Tembo’s attack on Mutharika’s speech came after Malawi’s flagship newspaper, The Nation, on Monday also carried an editorial which said the President speech on Sunday was not inspiring when he admitted that he is not sure of how much progress has been made in the country’s fight against corruption.

“Either he was burying his head in the sand—pretending all is well—or being frugal with the truth,” the paper said in the editorial comment.

The paper said Mutharika “missed yet another opportunity to consolidate his resolve to fight corruption in the country.”

This is Mpinganjira’s fourth official marriage that has been made public .

The wedding was officiated in Blantyre’s low density township of Sunnyside with the controversial Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church.

The officiating clergy himself is controversial as he was accused of impregnating a teenager in the northern city of Mzuzu and afterwards refusing to marry her.

Brown and Harriet Mpinganjira: Dancing to a marriage life

At a colourful church ceremony where only a few fellow opposition politicians, friends and relatives were invited, Mpinganjira spotted a white shirt, a white jacket, a black bow-tie and a black pair of trousers with the lady gorgeously dressed in all white.

The both danced as they entered the church hall and BJ waved to the cheering congregation.

Sources say Harriet Moyo is Mpinganjira’s long time girlfriend that he has dated.

Business

Information gathered by Nyasa Times indicates that when he was an influential cabinet minister in the former government of President Bakili Muluzi, BJ fronted Harriet Moyo to run some of his business interests.

It is reported that Mpinganjira, used her to establish Wendy’s Car Hire, a motor vehicle rental company that folded soon after Mpinganjira was kicked out of the Muluzi administration.

Wendy’s Car Hire was a second rental company that Mpinganjira used individuals to run his business interests. The other being Greenline Car Hire where former parliamentarian for Phalombe, Grecium Naura was also used as a front to do the operations. This also folded soon after Mpinganjira quit government.

Marriage records

The marriage at the weekend is Mpinganjira’s forth officially known.

Mpinganjira’s very first wife is now late and they had a son named James. For many years, BJ has disowned this son from his first marriage and James Mpinganjira is now found loitering and begging from people at the giant Chichiri Shopping Mall in Blantyre.

The second wife to Mpinganjira is Ms. Mimi Maganga. Between them, they have four children. It is reported that Mr Thombozi snatched way Ms. Maganga from BJ.

Following this development, Mpinganjira continued with his marriage journey and now married Babra Kalua, a nurse by profession.

Investigations indicate that the two fathered a son named Tchinga. He is currently the only child staying with BJ at his residence in the low density area of Chigumula Township, near Limbe.

As if this was not enough, Mpinganjira left the nurse (now late) to marry Lizzie Lossa. Using his political powers, BJ grabbed Lizzie from a Mr Mathews Lossa who was then one of the senior managers at Mandala Limited (now CFAO).

Following his shock in the loss of beautiful wife, Lossa died a few years later.

Although Mpinganjira married Lizzie Lossa his fellow cabinet colleague then, BJ linked up with Harrier Moyo, the woman BJ wedded at the weekend.

Following a presidential contest loss in the 2004 elections in Malawi, Mpinganjira and Lizzie agreed to separate and the woman left the country for the United States where she stays up until now.

Close family sources say that although the two were on separation, Mpinganjira did not inform Lizzie about his intention to marry Harriet Moyo at the weekend.

Religious life

Apart from having a very unstable marriage life, Mpinganjira  has also been a defector on the religious front.

He was born a Jahova’s Witness member in the family of the Mpinganjiras but following his comeback from prison detention, he joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church and he was a strong member of the Southern Lake Field church in Sunnyside, Blantyre when he was in the government of Muluzi.

When he formed his opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Mpinganjira was coaxed by the then General Secretary of the Blantyre Synod Rev. Daniel Gunya to join the church.

Records indicate that Mpinganjira was registered as a member of the church at Mulanje Mission CCAP.

About two years ago, Mpinganjira announced that he had heard a calling from God inviting him to be an evangelist. He is an evangelist with an undisclosed church. He currently combines evangelism and politics.

It has not been officially announced if Mpinganjira has now joined the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church of Prophet Shephard Bushiri which his new wife is a member.

Political life
BJ  has been a member of the United Democratic Front (UDF), then National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and now treasurer of the People’s Party (PP).

He is a powerful orator on political podium and as a former journalist, Mpinganjira is a good communicator and also a grassroot campaigner.

Evidence for the loss was first shown on Sunday when President Bingu wa Mutharika was presiding over the anti corruption bureau function in Blantyre. Only one truck but without many people ferried a handful supporters from Ndirande Malabada to the venue.

“In the past, there were four trucks that came here to pick DPP supporters. But today, only one truck came and picked a handful of supporters. Most supporters who were enthusiastic about the party are no longer interested,” said one DPP supporter who did not go to the function.

Mutharika: DPP losing the plot

Ndirande Malabada belongs to Aaron Sangala as its Member of Parliament. The MP is also minister of internal secutity.

Another supporter, who also did not go to the function, said he was disappointed with Mutharika’s because there was nothing he was getting from it.

“I have realized that the more you devote your time to these political parties the poorer you become. So, I better concentrate on my business,” the member said.

During the function, the president said he was blank as to whether his fight against corruption was yielding any results.

Most politicians test their political muscle in Ndirande township.

This was disclosed by the club Board of Trustees chairman Kelvin M’mangisa on Friday when the team presented their K60 Million TNM Super League Trophy to their sponsors at a colorful ceremony held at the club house in Area 47, Lilongwe.

In his speech, M’mangisa described the team as the true conquerors on the local scene therefore the need for it to go and shine on the international level.

Silver players and fans cerebrating their victory with Harvey Nkacha lifting the trophy. Photo: Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

“We want to show other people from other countries why we are called champions and if given a chance we will do just that. We have good players, well disciplined and we can achieve more and I promise the fans that we are really going to achieve more,” said M’mangisa.

“We are the only well sponsored club, we have a bus, we have a stadium, we have a club house everything, so winning is a thank you to our sponsors,” he added.

Taking his turn, Reserve Bank Governor, Dr  Perks Ligoya said he will take the message to his colleagues at the central Bank and will provide a formal response as soon as the board members scrutinize the issue.

He however revealed he is confident that a team like Silver can do better if given a chance to participate in competitions like CAF.

Ligoya  said this will lighten up Malawi football on the international scene and Malawians players will have a chance to play abroad.

“I am sure a team like Silver Strikers if we expose them and from what they are doing, I am sure we can do better,” said Ligoya.

He also emphasized that there is a need to engage the government if a dream of joining CAF is anything to go by since it is also a social responsibility for the government to promote sports.

Ligoya  handed over grey envelopes packed with K10, 000.00 to each of the Silver players as a token of appreciation for a job well done by grabbing the 2011-2012 TNM Super League Championship.

Ligoya promised to give out more if the team continues to do better and win the Presidential Cup which is expected to kick off on district level this coming weekend and by returning the Super League championship.

The current Big Bullets F.C by then known as Bakili Bullets was the last team to have participated in CAF Championship from Malawi and the team enjoyed one of its glamorous periods, reaching the lucrative group stages of CAF in 2003.

The team managed to draw and beat a number of big international clubs including Zanaco of Zambia, Enyimba of Nigeria and many others in the process.

Meanwhile, the team is expected to start a talent search to recruit a few new players to beef up the squad according to the team Chairman Dr. Macdonald Mafuta Mwale.

He said the newly recruited players will fit in the positions of Sibusiso Padambo, Hellings Mwakasungura and Itai Nundwe who have taken over the coaching role.

Mwale could not reveal names of the players they are targeting but only expressed gratitude towards the return of their Striker Green Harawa and midfielder Blessings Tembo who haven’t played for about a year each after they sustained serious injuries.

In his speech, in response to the State of the Nation address by President Bingu wa Mutharika when he opened the House last Friday, the 33 year-old son of former President Bakili Muluzi,  made the call on government to strictly commit itself to good governance, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

He told the National Assembly that Malawi need to look at the longer term solutions and presented his proposals.

Atupele Muluzi: We believe we can!

New plan

“The first thing must be to see gainful employment as a social, economic and political good. Something of value in and of itself,” the soft spoken Machinga North East parliamentarian said.

“This requires a concept of the market economy which sees people as both a central resource for and a vital beneficiary of the market place. Markets like democracy are made by and for the people,” he said.

Atupele said Malawi’s economic policies “must be people centered and this requires a concept in which people are partners in a process of wealth creation and not simply another factor of production.”

He said what the society needs most in the short and long term is gainful employment; that economic activity where real value is created.

“We need a clear vision on how we can turn Malawi from a predominantly importing nation to a predominantly exporting one,” he said.

The vision

Outlining his vision, Atupele said: “ Mr. Speaker Sir, Malawi needs to build new communities to accommodate its people. To contain rapid urbanization as life is getting tougher in our rural areas. These communities can be used as a basis of economic growth.”

He said the world’s great nations have been built on family values, education, law and order.

“We need to focus on re-establishing ‘the family’ as the core of our society,” he said, adding “To achieve this; as many citizens in Malawi as possible, need to own a real home within well planned communities, as it is only in the home that the discipline, respect and structure of family life can be entrenched.”

National Service

The younger Muluzi proposed the introduction of National Service Corp. to convert restless, angry and disenfranchised in society into nation builders.

“We can utilize existing and in many cases derelict facilities as well as existing infrastructure of training colleges and the military skills base. Many retired military men and women would jump at the opportunity to help,” he said.

“Youths with no qualifications, tertiary education or a job would be enlisted to join the service corp. for up to three years. Senior citizens would also have a programme designed for six months to a year,” he suggested.

He said the first 4-6 months for the youth could include basic training, fitness, instilling discipline and the respect necessary to becoming valued members of society.

Atupele said they would follow “a modular and practical training in different skills to ensure that on leaving the service corp. they are able to find permanent employment.”

He said service corps have worked in other parts of the world, saying in the 1930’s German Model and other post war economies proves that success from establishing a service core is inherent.

“In our own history many benefited from the de militarized version of it. They learnt many skills we are benefitting from till today. Members will be equipped with skills and will then join the mainstream economy.”

He said more employment opportunities will need to be created to meet the needs of new entrants into the economy.

“Our target as a nation must be 500,000 jobs, in 5 years, in construction and manufacturing industries supporting products needed to enable Malawians to enjoy a quality lifestyle.”

Housing programme

He also talked of establishement of a national business development and housing programme.

“We could create a sustainable new housing programme offering every citizen the right to own a good quality home over the next 15 years,” he said.

“Assuming that the national housing needs are some 750,000 units, a target of this programme should be to build an initial 20,000 houses/annum, growing to 100,000 houses/annum within 5 years.

“Jobs will be created – direct and indirect jobs will be created commencing from 50,000 jobs in 1 year up to 500,000 jobs within 5 years in the construction and support industries.”

In his speech, Atupele said: “Is the creation of up to 500,000 jobs worth looking into? We believe it is!”

He added: “Can we create a Business Development and Housing Association co-owned by the people for the benefit of the people? We believe we can!”

And went further to say: “Can we create new industries across the country? We believe we can.

“Can we create a healthy nation built on principles of honesty, family and care for each other?We believe we can!.”

Commissioner Wilson Matinga replaced Nelson Bophani following a shake up of Police regional bosses.

The relationship between the Police and the private media in Malawi has not been rosy. The Police are always accusing the private media for denting their image and unfair reporting.

Booze time: Police and journalists party in Mzuzu

But the media contend that the Police always hide information when they know it will put them in bad light.

Representative of all media organizations in Malawi including Nyasa Times were invited for the binge party which started at 4pm and ended around 8 pm.

The reception was perhaps the first official gathering where journalists and the law enforcers freely mingled and engaged in one-to-one discussions since the July 20th anti-government demonstration in 2011.

A few days after the July 20th anti-government demonstration in 2011, Police blamed the media for the mayhem and death that occurred.

The cops have also kept their line even during hearings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on anti-government demonstration.

“Since the media works hand in hand with the Police we would like to invite you to a special meeting where the new Commissioner for the north will introduce himself to you in a spirit of fostering good working relationships that exists between us,” Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Isaac Maluwa said.

Commissioner Matinga noted that suicide and drowning were topping the list of cases Police were handling in the region.

Police and media in booze party

Among the chased patients are four pregnant mothers who were rushed to the hospital on Friday night and had Caesar complications.

“They were rushed to the hospital at 2 am only to be told by guards that they could not be allowed into the hospital because staff were on strike because they had not received January salaries,” said one senior medical officer at the hospital.

The officer said the ambulance driver called the Blantyre District Health Office for direction and was told to keep the patients in theambulance.

“The patients stayed in the ambulance for over two hours as DHO staff tried to reason with the hospital top management. The Blantyre DHO which manages the health centres in the city had no choice but to
deploy one nurse each from the health centres to treat patients referred from the health centres,” the officer said.

The officer said the DHO was forced to deploy a nurse each from the health centres because staff at QECH are refusing to treat referred patients.

“That is the situation till now,” said the officer, “but it is a sad situation because lives can easily be lost.”

Ministry of Health spokesman Henry Chimbali uld not immediately be reached for comment.

Lilongwe on Monday: Photo credit -Towards Malawi Elections 2014/Twitter

Up to four children collapsed in the capital city Lilongwe and several other children fell victim after a heavy volley of tear gas was unleashed in residential area.

Police fired tear gas to disperse stone-throwing vendors resisting orders they move off the streets to designated flea markets.

But the security forces took their battle with vendors to residential areas where  tear gas canisters were being fired into houses affecting women, children and the old.

One of the mothers Doreen Nguluwe said she found her child  in Area 23 had collapsed after tear gas spread in her home.

“My baby collapsed due to heavy teargas in our property,” Nguluwe said.

She said the security forces must be instructed on how to use tear gas in line with international policing standards.

Kamuzu Central Hospital sources said they treated at least four children who had collapsed due to teargas.

Lilongwe police spokesman Kingsley Dandaula said vendors resorted to rioting and Police responded with tear gas.

“The vendors, city authorities and us (police) agreed that all vendors must move out of the streets by today (Monday, February 6th) but others were still resisting,” he said.

Dandaula said 42 people had been arrested by late afternoon and that he expected more arrests.

He said the arrested  vendors have been charged with a offence of “Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace and Unlawful Breaking (into buildings).”

Tawonga Nkhonjera's play Malawi Kwacha tackles taboos surrounding sexuality. Photo by Sarah Berman.

Malawi government through officials from the department of Arts has pleaded with local dramatists and actors to resist from copying from what the Nigerians and other countries do in their films but rather try to bring something new and unique with a 100% Malawian flavour.

This was disclosed by Performing Arts Officer Isaac Chingola who was the guest of honour at an inter-secondary school drama festival competition held at the Kamuzu Institute for Sports and Culture in Lilongwe over the weekend.

“The best thing is to have our own brand of theatre to be recognized with as Malawians, we need something that when somebody sees should be able to say this is Malawian stuff the way we recognize some movies and acting styles from other countries,” said Chingola

He further added that his department is planning to meet all theatre groups to advise them on what they can do to improve the arts industry acting/drama in particular.

Chingola further urged the media to help the government in disseminating more information about Malawian culture so that the theatre world can have enough information to add to their respective plays.

The inter-secondary school drama festival which attracted six secondary schools from the central and northern region was organized by the National Schools Youth Drama Festival (NASFEST).

NASFEST also splashed awards to three people who have made tremendous efforts in achieving and promoting arts in Malawi.

The three awardees are Joyce Mhango Chavula who is an actress, director and writer, Smith Likongwe an Arts and Theatre Lecturer at the University of Malawi Chancellor College and Mc Arthur Matukuta who works as an artistic director at Solomonic peacocks theatre Each of the awardees received a shield.

Speaking to journalists, NASFEST Executive Director James Kitchen described the 2012 Inter-Schools Youth Drama festival as a great success.

He further revealed that discussions are underway with some other neighbouring countries to turn the event international.

Biwi Community Day Secondary School were crowned the 2012 Youth Drama Festival Champions with 80 points, Robert Break came second with 74 points while famous Matindi came third 73 points.

The theme for this year was “Tears of the girl child” and was aimed at highlighting some of challenges faced by a girl child in Malawi which includes early marriages, school dropout, and sexual abuse among others according to kitchen.